So here's the next chapter, we get to see a little more of Tsu'tey and Rebecca which I know a lot of you were interested in seeing. Not much actual talking next, that's the next chapter. I'm also going to be editing the first two chapters just a bit. There will be no major changes, so if you've read them and don't feel like reading it all over again, don't. I'd just like to go back over them and polish them up a bit. I didn't think so many people would be interested in this story, and was really just putting this on FF just for fun. But now that people are showing interest, I'd like the chapters to be a little more refined.
Disclaimer- Obviously own nothing except for Becca.
Possibility
There's a possibility
All that I had was all I'm goin' get
Jake pulled Rebecca out of the avatar compound. She was reluctant to leave, craning her neck to see what the other "healer" was doing. She didn't trust the other woman. The woman was obviously "unprofessional". As soon as she had entered, she started chanting and waving her arms around Tsu'tey. Rebecca had never believed in voodoo and now worried that it would do more harm than good. She nearly exploded, but the look in Jake's eyes told her to not even try to argue.
Jake grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the dark building. "You don't understand what she's going to do, Rebecca. She's the best healer in the village and connected directly to Eywa."
She pursed her lips. "I just want to make sure he stabilizes Jake, and then I'll feel comfortable to leave."
His hand left her arm when she batted at it. "This is a private thing that Mo'at is going to do. You're a newcomer and a human. You have to understand, most of the Na'vi still don't trust you. Being Selfridge's sister isn't going to make friends for you, and they don't want you to see all of our inner workings."
Rebecca would never admit it, but she was insulted. After she had spent hours working side by side with their healers, they still didn't trust her. She understood their reasoning, but it still made her chest clench and her face freeze. With a nod, she gritted her teeth before answering him. "No I understand. I'm tired anyways; it's been a long day." Her fingers worked under the elastic in her hair, and she let the heavy mass fall onto her shoulders.
She nodded to Jake and started walking back to the main building. Long tapered fingers gently massaged her skull, pain blossoming not soon after her hair fell down. She had kept her hair up too long, and when that happened the weight of her hair would cause her scalp to feel as though spikes were being driven through it.
The main building was quiet. Everyone was apparently already in their beds. The day had been a long one for everyone, especially for the people that had any medical background. Rebecca walked through the building in a haze. They had agreed that she would stay in Parker's room, and she was glad for it. At least she could feel comfortable somewhere that her brother had been in and she needed that reassurance right now.
She walked through the common room. There were a few avatar drivers still up, two men battling each other out on some kind of video game. The blue light reflected off of her face as she walked by, her gait slow and precise. Sounds of crashing and gunfire blasted out of the TV stereos, and the reflection of a building falling to pieces could be seen on Rebecca's face.
The cafeteria was empty, the white tables clean and ready for the rush in the morning. Grey light tinged the room with an almost medical look. Rebecca's hands were in her pockets, her spine curved. Her footsteps echoed in the empty room, light clicks that fainted resembled that of a clock. Her shadow stretched across the floor and reached in jagged edges towards the corner of the room.
The cafeteria door closed behind her with a slight suctioning noise, and she slowly made her way past the science rooms. Max was still up, his face illuminated by the computer screen. She stood outside the large glass window, looking at him for a moment. He looked exhausted and his glasses were sliding down his nose. As she watched, his head leaned forward for a moment, wavering in and out of consciousness.
Moving on, she put in the code to enter Parker's room. She had written it on the inside of her wrist so the ink wouldn't wash off. The numbers blurred as her tired eyes looked at them. Her hands were both dry and cracking. She gently set her coat down on the chair next to the door, and stood staring around the room. Darkness crept in from the edges; no light was let in from the windows.
The room was empty of all personal touches. It was like Parker had never lived there. The thought helped Rebecca pull herself together a bit, and she walked into the kitchen to slowly pour herself a glass of water. The grey light of the room was enough to see by, but it was a lonely image. A tall woman silhouetted by darkness, drinking water in a lifeless, colorless room.
Making her way towards Parker's bedroom, she couldn't bear to think of it as hers. Rebecca slowly stripped. Each piece of clothing hit the floor with a muffed thump. She forwent the shower, instead slipping into the cold sheets. As her head hit the pillow, she took a deep breath and sighed. With that breath came the slightly vanilla scent that her brother always used for a shampoo.
Curling onto her side, she tucked her knees into her chest. With a soft sob, she shuddered in the cool sheets. Another sob escaped her mouth, and she slowly dragged the other pillow closer to her chest. Tears streamed down her face as she silently cried. The second pillow was hugged to her chest, and she continually took shaky breathes. Each breath allowed her to smell her brother again, the brother she had not seen for six years, and would not see for another ten at least. Shaking most of the night, Rebecca fell into an exhausted sleep at four o'clock in the morning.
"Rebecca?"
Snapping straight up in the bed, Rebecca smoothed her hands down her hair. It felt like she had just fallen asleep! What time was it? Rolling onto her stomach, she leaned over towards the bedside table and stared at the clock. Five. Really?
"Rebecca!"
Groaning, she rolled towards the other side of the bed. There was an intercom on that side that Max had shown her the day before. Pressing the button on the right, she asked, "Yes?" Her voice was gritty and hoarse.
"We need you to get down here now."
She moaned and stuck her face into the pillow. "Come on!" Pressing the button again, she muttered, "This really isn't a good time. You can wait another two hours." She then lay back down on her stomach and relaxed.
"Rebecca!" Norm's voice echoed from the intercom.
"What?" She snapped. Realizing that she had yet to push the button on the intercom, she angrily sat up and pushed the button with all the force she could muster. It might not have been the most mature thing to do, but it made her feel better. "What do you want, Norm?"
There was a slight pause before he answered her. "They need you back at the avatar compound. Apparently Tsu'tey is having some trouble and Jake said to send you specifically."
She shook her head. No, no way. She had been kicked out of that room, and she wasn't going back just because now they needed her. She was certain that they could do fine without her. After all, they didn't need her last night when there had been special tribal things going on. "No Norm, I'm sure they're fine. I'm going back to sleep now."
"Rebecca, do you really have to be so selfish? Jake sent for you, that means that he thinks you are the only way that Tsu'tey can make it. He would never have sent for you if he didn't need to."
He sounded pissed off that she wasn't interested in helping, but Rebecca could recognize that he had a point. And besides, it wasn't like she was going to go back to sleep now that she knew one of her patients was in trouble. She snorted. Give her three minutes and she would have been snoring like she had been minutes ago. But she rolled out of bed anyways. Casting one longing glance back at her bed, she pushed the intercom button again. "Fine. I'm coming, just give me a minute." She dug through her suitcase and pulled out her pajama bottoms, a tank top, and a robe.
Walking down to the avatar compound felt like she was walking through molasses. Every step was like she was pulling her feet out of goo and she was certain that things were moving faster than they should be. Shaking her head, Rebecca walked through the crowds of people in the cafeteria and tried to ignore the roll her stomach gave when she smelt the food.
Eventually she got to the avatar compound, rubbing her eyes and she pulled her robe closer to her to conserve heat. The morning was chilly, and Rebecca regretted not throwing on actual clothing before she left.
"Rebecca, thank god."
Jake's panicked voice certainly woke her up a little bit, and she blinked up at him owlishly. He had stuck his head out of the door, and was staring at her like she was sent from Heaven itself.
"Yeah…" She answered slowly.
His large hand dragged her into the room, her slippered feet padding across the room with soft slaps. But as soon as she saw Tsu'tey, she realized what the problem was. Delirium. Pursing her lips, she walked towards the bed.
Tsu'tey was writhing on the bed, his back arching and body bucking at odd intervals. Neytiri was there, as well as the old healer Jake had called Mo'at. There was also two other Na'vi who she had seen guarding the compound at intervals. The two guards and Neytiri were holding Tsu'tey down as he thrashed on the bed.
Walking over to them tiredly, she looked down at the huge Na'vi on the bed. "You're going to have to tie him down. He's delirious. It happens when you get feverish." She gently set the back of her hand against his forehead. "Yeah. Do you have anything that would bring his temperature down?"
She caught Mo'at staring at her, and Rebecca frowned at the woman. Why in the world would the old woman be staring at her like that? It didn't take genius to figure all that out. Honestly, he was trying to get off of the bed, he couldn't, therefore he had to be tied down. It was logic, not brain smarts. And the fever had to be taken down or he would die from it, it was a normal body response. It wasn't like it was something new.
Then she looked down at her hand on the Na'vi's forehead. It seemed he had calmed almost immediately when she placed her warm palm on his head. Scowling down at Tsu'tey, she snatched her hand away from him and wiped it against her thigh. She was not going to go down that path; it was a coincidence that was all.
"So, Jake. All you have to do is get some rope and you'll be all set."
The old woman spoke. "We do not have to resort to tying him down."
"You're going to have to or he's going to hurt himself. He cannot rise from where he is or he's going to tear the stitches. That could lead to him injuring himself more or even dying." Rebecca answered calmly. "There isn't a choice about this."
"We will not tie him."
Rebecca flung her hands up and looked at Jake. Surely he would be the one that would see reason in this ridiculous situation.
He shrugged. "I go with what Mo'at says. She knows what she's talking about. If she doesn't want to tie him up, then I'm sure she's got another plan."
Mo'at was nodding behind him. The sun was just starting to rise, and the pale pinks bathed the aged Na'vi in rose hues. "You will stay with him. He is calmer when you are here."
Looking towards Tsu'tey, Rebecca shook her head. Sure it seemed like he was a little calmer now that she was there, but that was coincidence. It had to do with the fact that there was more light in the building. People who were delirious were better in well lighted areas because there was less to startle them, that was it. "That won't work! I'm supposed to be in my bed sleeping, and then I'm supposed to help people in the courtyards. Sorry Jake, my schedule has already been filled."
"Don't worry Becca," Jake replied. He grinned when she glared at his use of a nickname. "You aren't needed much today. There are few people who need attending today. I'm sure the rest of the healers can deal with it. You should be happy! You get relax in here."
"And do nothing," she grumbled. Jerk, he was going to make her stay in here with a guy in a coma and spend the day all by herself. The boredom was already getting to her, and Rebecca could barely stand to think of spending an entire day without anything to do. "I haven't eaten yet. So I'd have to go and do that. I'd like to take a shower and get better clothing on as well."
"Nah, you're fine." Jake grinned at her discomfort, obviously having fun putting her in a situation she wasn't comfortable in. "I'll send someone to bring you food." He slung an arm around Neytiri. "We'll bring you a cot later tonight, and I'll see what Max has for you to do. Maybe he'll lend you some of his books. If you need anything, there will be a guard at the door."
And then everyone vacated the room before Rebecca could protest. Just before Mo'at left, she spooned some orange goo into Tsu'tey's mouth and told her it was for the fever. Rebecca was to feed it to him at the end of the day just before it got dark. Mouth hanging open, she sputtered at the empty room. "Really? Honestly? They just left me with nothing to do with a comatose patient that can't even speak?" She stared down at her body. "In my nightgown and robe?" She shook her head in disbelief. "Honestly."
A long fingered blue hand gripped her arm with iron strength. Gasping, she spun and stared toward Tsu'tey.
"Water."
She nodded, but when she tried to move his fingers didn't let go of her arm. She gently tried to pry the fingers off of her arm, but his grip tightened. The pain made her start to shake, and she was certain that there would be bruised imprints of his fingers on her pale skin. "Tsu'tey, you have to let go of my arm."
Her use of English sparked something in the recesses of his mind, because he suddenly yanked her forward until she stumbled into the edge of the bed. His eyes were unseeing, but his voice was strong. "Skywalker scum." His gravelly voice gritted against her ears, and it was obvious that he actually did need to drink something. "I will fight you to the end!" His voice shook with anger. "The Na'vi will crush your kind!"
He then flung her away from him as if she was some kind of ragdoll. She fell onto her knees with a loud bang, and growled as she stood slowly. Her knees throbbed, and she could see red welts rising. It had been a long time since Rebecca had been thrown onto her knees by someone, and she didn't like the feeling.
When Tsu'tey tried to rise from the bed, she placed her palm on his shoulder and pushed him back down on the bed. Now she realized why the Na'vi trusted her alone with him. He didn't have enough strength in him to push back at her. Rebecca was certain that she could hold him down herself if she had to. Switching to Na'vi, she told him roughly, "Lie down. You're going to hurt yourself."
She was startled when he complied without question. Eyeing him, she grabbed the bowl of water that was sitting next to him. She put her arm underneath his neck, wincing when he groaned. She must have touched his hair, or whatever that thing was. His hands rested over hers as he drank from the bowl. Rebecca was seconds from telling him to slow down before he choked.
Again, she winced when she set the bowl down. Coughing obviously caused him pain like no other. Every cough made him curl into himself a little more, his body bowing in an effort to ease the pain the bullet wounds were causing him. She gently rolled him onto his back as the coughing abated, and lifted the gauze around the wounds.
Someone had packed some kind of light green moss around the wounds, and she was surprised to see the wounds were only lightly oozing. Maybe these humanoids healed quicker then she expected, or that moss really did some good for the healing processes.
His hand grabbed her arm again. Unseeing eyes listlessly searched the room, before he told her quietly, "Kill me, skywalker. Now is your chance! If I was not harmed you would be dead where you stand."
She placed her hand over his and pried it off of her arm. It didn't look like he was speaking to her, but she replied. "Sorry, no can do. You'll be fine soon enough warrior, then you can get revenge on the skywalker who did this to you." Rebecca had never been good at speaking formally in Na'vi, but that seemed to do the trick.
For the next ten minutes she wiped his entire body down with a washcloth. Halfway through he had started sweating profusely, and his body had started to shake again. But it wasn't the arching and writhing as he had been before she had came into the room. He would shudder and shiver as though cold beyond imagining. Rebecca assumed his fever was breaking.
Again, he grabbed onto her arm. "Please, kill me."
She sighed, realizing that this could develop into something that could progress. "No, warrior. Lie still, heal."
His body thumped back onto the bed, sweat slowly dripping down his temple. Rebecca leaned forward carefully, and gently dabbed at drop. His eyes continued to flick around the corners of the room as though expecting an enemy to jump out at him any minute. She sighed, and crumpled the cloth in her hand. It was going to be a long day if he remained in this state. She hooked a hand around a stool behind her, and sank onto it. Chin resting against her fist, she looked over the warrior before her.
He really was handsome for an alien. His broad features and the harsh angles of his face would have been considered gorgeous on a human. Trailing her eyes down his body, she was amazed again at how large the Na'vi were. He was so tall, so big. Rebecca wasn't used to seeing many people that were larger then her. He moaned again, and she leaned forward to wet his heated skin.
"No!" She jumped as he arched. Putting her hands on his shoulders again, she forcefully kept his back against the bed. He bucked and arched, desperately trying to get her off of him. "Please, no."
Tears stung her eyes again, as she realized that he must be reliving his attack. After he lay quiet underneath her, she slowly moved off of him. Washcloth in hand, she ran it over his heated skin and wished for a clock. Pity made her chest clench, and she rubbed at it when she sank down onto the stool again. She didn't know what kind of pain he was in, but the delirium was an indicator that it was horrible.
His head started to shake back and forth against the pillow. Tears built in his eyes, causing hers to well in her eyes as well. She watched the muscles on his jaw work as he gritted his teeth against the pain. Her hands fisted against her thighs, but there was nothing that she could do to help him.
For the next six hours, every ten minutes he would ask her to kill him. After the second hour, he had started to beg. Rebecca's heart would break every time he begged her to end his life. He had been close to tears the last few times he begged her, and she could barely stand the heartbreak it was causing her. The warrior before her was breaking, and that was enough to make her want to tear her own hair out.
"Please." His newest plan was apparently to repeat the word over and over again. His head shook back and forth on the bed. Sometimes he would hit a spot that obviously caused him pain, and his back would lift off of the bed for a moment before dropping back down.
Tears in her eyes, Rebecca gently ran her hand over his forehead. "Shh, warrior. No more begging, no more." One tear spilled over, and she wiped furiously at it. She should be able to hold herself together, she was a nurse damn it! But the sight of this huge man before her in so much pain, begging for death, it was enough to undo every thread of sanity in her.
His body tensed for a moment, before he finally relaxed. Shocked, she stared down at his face. As soon as her hand had touched his body, he had finally done what she had been trying to get him to do for the past six hours.
Rebecca was exhausted, the emotional stress as well as getting one hour of sleep the past night was enough to make her shake. Finally her patient was sleeping, and she continued to stroke his forehead as he drifted into a deeper sleep. His even breaths lulled her into relaxation as well, and she rested her head against her arm on the bed.
The guard came in once to check on them, the silence alerting him. But when he stepped into the room, he stopped. The nurse was sitting on a chair next to Tsu'tey's bed, her head against her arm. The other hand was still gently on Tsu'tey's forehead, the heat of his body finally to a temperature that was normal. The guard wanted very much to peel her off of his leader, but the relaxation on both nurse and patient's faces made him pause. Perhaps sleep would be good for the both of them. Silently closing the door behind him, he resumed his post. He would stop anyone from waking the two.
Thanks so much for all the lovely reviews! I really do appreciate them quite a bit, and I'm excited to hear what you all want to see next! 'Til next time.
-Emm
